Electrically-operated vibrator



July 3, 1934. G. Kl-UGE 1,965,382

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED VIBRATOR Filed Jan. 20, 1933 FIG. :2

I N V EN TOR. CARL 6. X4 06:

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The object of my invention is to provide an improved electrically operated vibrator. for actuating small implements of various types, such as massage applicators, tooth-brushes, buffers, erasers and the like, and which embodies an electric motor comprising a minimum number of parts compactly assembled and arranged to constitute a small, powerful, shock and waterproof unit, convenient for hand application, as will further appear.

In practice I have demonstrated that my improved vibrator may be operated on any 110 volt alternating current regardless of frequencies generally used, and without its armature contacting the field so that the provision of bumpers, cushions, crankshafts or other details of construction which would mechanically confine the length of the armature stroke becomes unnecessary; and, further, no part projecting from the interior of the casing can itself conduct current, and therefore, shouldjthe current become shorted or grounded the possibility of shock is eliminated. The device is so constructed that no frictional points exist, and consequently wear and the necessity of oiling are eliminated, and the actuating elements of which are so arranged as to reciprocate laterally to impart rubbing action to the implement connected therewith in respect to the surface to which it is applied, and other advantages will be apparent from the following de-- scription, it being understod that this is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 508,262, filed January 12, 1931.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof, Figure l is a plan view of the vibrator,

with cover removed, showing the motor elements which I employ; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view taken on the dotted line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a perspective of the frame upon which the motor parts are assembled as a unit; Fig. 4. a transverse sectional view taken on the dotted line 4-4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a detail sectional view taken on the dotted line 5-5 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a sectional view taken on the dotted line 66 in Fig. 1, showing a manner of attaching an implement handle to the actuating arm; and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the dotted line 7.'? in Fig. 2.

In said drawing the numeral 5 indicates the lower or base portionoj the casing which I employ, and 6 the cover portion having bosses 6,

the lower portion embodying a groove '2 in its edge with which a tongue 8 in the cover registers, a waterproof gasket 9 being provided in the groove for excluding moisture, and which construction and arrangement are clearly indicated in Fig. 5. The portion 5 includes motor support-- ing blocks 10, 11, which may be integrally formed or otherwise secured therewith. As shown in Fig. 1, the casing 5-6 is of ovate form tapering acute-.

ly toward its forward end, which reduced portion 6 facilitates manipulation of the implement over angled or curved portions in facial treatment, while the enlarged portion of the casing readily accommodates the reception and installation of the electro-magnet coils, and which formation is of advantage generally in handling a small implement of the character disclosed.

In carrying out my invention I employ a frame 12 having an offset portion 13, Fig. 3, upon which I mount a pair of electro-magnet coils 14, 15, in longitudinal relation to the frame, the upper end 16 of the frame being connected by a screw 17 to the block 10, while its lower and preferably tapered end 18 is secured to the block 11 by a screw 1'7 and which latter end includes a springsupport 19 and pad 19' for a purpose to appear. Magnet cores or poles 20, 21, comprising a plurality of laminated plates which project through the coils 14, 15, respectively, are connected by bridges 22, which construction in effect produces a horseshoe magnet, and at the upper side of the stack of plates a binder 24 of substantially similar contour to the bridges 22, and having a threadopening 25, is secured to the lamination by the screws 26 which also fasten the magnet to the frame. Upon the support 19 I secure a spring 28, and also a switch-pad 29 of insulating material by the screws 30, the spring being substantially U-shaped, its curved end 28" acting as its fulcrum, the opposite end thereof having a channeled member 31 to which an armature 32 is connected, at 33, having an arm 34 comprising insulating material, and the laminated legs 35, 36, at its opposite end adapted when actuated to move into registry with the end faces of the poles 20, 21. It will therefore be understood that the onepiece frame 12 of the novel character described readily supports both the magnet, the spring 28 and the arm 34 connected thereto, and which frame in a simple manner is detachably secured 'to the casing 5. The arm 34 extends through the casing and passes 'out through an insulating elastic nipple 37 so formed that the portion which stretches over the arm is somewhat thinner than that which snaps into and is held in the opening of the casing, and which outer portion forms a watertight joint between the casing and arm. The arm, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, is provided with a spring clamp 38 through which the handle 39' of an implement 39 may be inserted and which clamp is fixedly held by a screw 40, which device is shown for purposes of illustration, but it will be understood that any suitable fastening means for the purpose may be employed.

In the upper end of the casing a rubber bushing 42 is installed, which provides a watertight joint between the parts, in which the cord 43 is firmly held, and through which cord the electrical connections to the coils 14, 15 are led, the wire 44 being connected to the coil 14, and the wire 45 to the switch contact 46, the current flowing through the switch when closed and through the contact 48 and lead wire 47 to the coil 15, and, the coils being connected in the usual way by a wire 49, the electric circuit is completed. It will be noted that the poles 20, 21, are covered by the coils 14, 15, respectively, allowing the faces only of the poles to project, which is of importance, as by such arrangement a greater amount of power is produced than if the coils were set farther back from the faces. An insulated switch-lever 50 having a contact 51 is employed for controlling the contacts 46 and 48, in a well known manner. A rubber cap 50 is snapped over the lever and connected to a groove in the casing to provide a waterproof covering therefor.

When the various elements assembled with the frame 12 are secured in the lower casing the cover 6 is then attached, as shown in Fig. 2, by registering the perforated legs 6 thereof with the screwthreaded openings 25 in the binder 24 and pad '19 respectively, sinking the screws 53 appreciably below the surface of the cover, and sealing the holes with insulating material, as 54, in which manner an insulated and watertight vibrator is provided of convenient size for handling and which by its simple and novel construction is of comparatively high power so arranged that its parts require no oiling or frequent inspection, as I have found in practice that the device is of lasting durability without displacement or impair- 'ment of its limited number of elements.

As indicated, the armature is positioned so that its legs partially confront the end faces of the pole pieces and cover approximately onethird of the area of the faces. When moved on its fulcrum from the position indicated in Fig. 1, the faces of the armature legs in their stroke describe a true are in relation to the field core, the gap between the armature and field being very slight, that is, just sufficient to permit movement of the armature without touching the field core. When current is applied to the coils a magnetic flux is induced in the field which, as will be understood, seeks the easiest path from one pole to another, and in so doing draws the armature over to a position where its ends operatively confront the faces of the poles, which action loads the spring 28, and as the current dies the armature will be returned to normal position by the expanding action of the spring, so that as the current builds up in reversal the armature will again be drawn in line with the pole pieces, which actuation continues so long as the contacts 46 and 48 are closed by the'lever 50. The armature is so constructed as to constitute a comparatively weighty mass which when in motion acts as a pendulum through its fulcrum 28" and produces considerable power, and, being flexibly mounted, wear and upkeep, as well as oiling, are eliminated, and for which reason the casing may be sealed in the manner indicated, as generation of heat is obviated, so that there is no necessity for vent holes in the casing and in which manner I am enabled to pro,-

duce a device of the character described which can be contained in a moistureproof casing.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vibrator, a separable casing, a frame supported in the casing, electro-magnetic coils mounted on the frame, pole pieces "extending through the coils, an armature in the casing and having an arm extending therethrough, a spring connected to the frame and supporting the armature, a switch-pad connected to the spring and having contacts thereon, a lever for closing the contacts, and means for introducing an electrical current through the contacts to the coils whereby the armature is drawn into alignment with the pole pieces and reversed in its movement by the spring when said coils are deenergized and thereby moving the armature in lateral directions.

2. In a vibrator, a casing including supporting blocks, a frame having offset ends adapted to be supported on said blocks and a seat for the reception of an electro-magnet comprising coils and laminated pole-pieces, a support extending from the frame, a substantially U-shaped spring connected to the support, a switch-pad connected to the support, an armature including laminated legs and an arm connected to the spring, a cover for the casing, and means in the interior of the casing for securing the cover thereto.

3. In a vibrator, a casing including supporting blocks, a frame having an angulated end adapted to seat on one of the blocks and a raised opposite end adapted to be seated on the opposite block, means for securing an electro-magnet to the frame, means for securing an armature to the frame, means on the frame for actuating the armature, a cover onthe casing, and means for securing the cover to the casing.

4. In a vibrator, a casing, an electro-magnet in the casing, a frame upon which the magnet is mounted and also having a spring supporter and a pad, 2. spring, means for securing a leg of the spring to the support, an armature coacting with the magnet, means associated with the opposite leg of the spring upon which the armature is mounted, a cover for the casing, and means for securing the cover to the pad.

5. In a vibrator, a casing, an electro-magnet in the casing, a bifurcated armature in the casing having an arm projecting therefrom in exposed relation and adapted to receive an implement at its end, a substantially U-shaped spring connected to the arm, means for securing the spring in the casing for normally holding the armature legs in lateral relation to the magnet, and an electric wiring system for energizing the magnet field core whereby said armature will be moved so that its legs will confront the field core.

6. In a vibrator having a casing, the combination of a frame, a magnet mounted on the frame, a spring supporter on the frame, including means adapted to be connected to the casing, a switchpad connected to the supporter and extending in the direction of the magnet, a spring connected to the supporter and having means for supporting an armature, and an armature secured to the supporting means and having an arm projecting through the casing and adapted to oscillate an implement.

'7. In a vibrator having a casing, the combination, with said casing, of a two-legged spring, means for securing the spring to the casing, a member composed of insulating material connected to said spring securing means and having contact members thereon, an armature secured to the opposite leg of the spring, and. a switch-lever extending through the casing and engageable with the contact members to establish an electrical connection between said contact members.

8. In a vibrator, a casing, a unitary frame in the casing, an electro-magnet in the casing and mounted on the frame, an armature in the casing having an arm projecting therefrom and adapted to receive a detachable implement at its end, a substantially U-shaped spring connected to the arm, means for securing the spring to the frame for normally holding the armature in lateral relation to the magnet, and an electric wiring system for energizing the magnet whereby said armature will be moved so that it will confront the magnet poles.

9. ma vibrator having a casing of ovate formation, the combination, with said casing, of a frame extending substantially from end to end of said casing and having means for supporting an electro-magnet and an armature cooperating with the latter, means for securing the ends of the frame and said elements as a unit, and means for securing said unit to the casing.

10. In a vibrator having a casing, the combination, with said casing, of a unitary frame adapted to be secured therein including a seat at one end for supporting an electro-magnet and a support at its opposite end upon which a power spring is mounted.

11. In a vibrator having a casing including a base member and a cover, the combination, with said base member, of a frame for supporting an electro-magnet said frame comprising a unitary member, means associated with said frame for supporting an armature-actuating spring said means including a pad to which said cover is adapted to be secured, and means for detachably securing the base member and cover together.

12. In a vibrator having a casing including a base member and a cover, the combination, with said base member, of a frame for supporting an electro-magnet, and an angulated element associated with the frame for supporting an armature-actuating spring and also having means to which said cover is secured.

13. In a vibrator, the combination, with a casing of ovate formation, of a frame, an electromagnet mounted on the frame in the enlarged portion of the casing, an armature mounted on the frame and having an arm extending through the reduced forward portion of the casing, and means for detachably securing an implement to the arm.

CARL G. KLUGE. 

